This holiday season, we’re especially pleased to bring you news
of yet another financial award given by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation,
this time to an inspirational organization of animal rescuers in Pennsylvania.
First, though, we offer an important end-of-year message, which also provides
context to illustrate the importance of this rescue’s work.

Many Americans decide to celebrate the holiday season by
adopting a companion animal. And, who can blame them? Few would deny the
happiness that comes from hearing the pitter-patter of tiny, furry feet through
the house, or the genuine emotion of being on the receiving end of adoring gazes
from puppies and kittens.

It probably comes as no surprise that holiday adoptions are
often decided on the spur of the moment. Pet stores are well aware of this …
they cater to our expectations for convenience and are commonly located no
further than the local strip mall. While the proverbial “doggie in the window”
may tug at the heartstrings, many potential adopters fail to realize that often the
creatures offered by these businesses import their dogs and cats from “pet
mills”.

Popular in the rural communities of Pennsylvania and a handful
of other states, pet mills are a multi-million dollar enterprise. They are not
just breeding grounds devoid of comforts, they are known for infestations,
untreated infections, routine physical abuse and broken bones (and spirits to
match). Pitiable dogs lead monotonous lives of desperation, locked away in
cramped cages, enduring the harsh treatment at the hands of their tormentors.
The females are repeatedly impregnated, sometimes only days after birthing a
litter, and males who aren’t sold at a profit are often killed.

Fortunately, somebody is doing something about this.

Based in Lancaster, PA, A Tail to Tell (ATTT), in tandem with
other rescue groups, assists in extracting unwanted and retired survivors of
puppy mills in the Northeastern U.S.

In fact, ATTT was founded by members who trained while working
at the well-known Puppy Mill Rescue, an organization recognized for their
pioneering work in fighting against the rising tide of puppy mills. Not only do
these two groups share similar guidelines for rescuing and adopting out rescues,
both share a deep and abiding passion for saving canines from the harsh
conditions that characterize most mills.

Upon intake, each dog is handled with the utmost care, receiving
a comprehensive medical assessment and all necessary treatments. In addition to
bloodwork, vaccines, heartworm tests and dental exams, each canine undergoes an
alteration procedure – for many females, spaying ends years of repeated
pregnancies during their captivity.

In 2004, their first year of operation, ATTT saved the lives of
63 dogs. Thus far, their commitment has yielded stunning results, increasing the
number saved last year to 569 canines! According to a recent estimate, they
expect to beat that number this year.

Their mission of making the world a better place for these pups
isn’t just something they say, it’s what they do. Right now, they’re converting
a former pet mill into a rehabilitation and foster care center. ATTT plans to
install new (and comfortable) kennels in the near future, to signficantly
increase their intake and management capacities.

According to ATTT’s founder, Cindy Myers, our financial
contribution was utilized for a recent emergency situation. A couple of months
ago, she received a call regarding ten dogs who were in desperate straights … in
fact, all of the dogs were “in starvation mode” and were suffering from
roundworm, hookworm and whipworm infections. With the assistance of three
veterinarians working simultaneously, the canines were treated for a wide range
of medical traumas, from broken bones to multiple tumors.

Two of the dogs were so malnourished that they could not undergo
veterinary care. Christened as Ava Gardner and Maryann by their rescuers, the
pair was successfully nursed back to health over the course of several weeks by
the ATTT team.

While the other eight pups are now living in their new adoptive
homes, Ava and Maryann are still recovering from their ordeal, which
necessitated surgeries and extensive medical care. According to Myers, these
canines “never walked on grass, drank or ate from a bowl, played with a toy or
had a bed to call their own”, and were “literally just a few days from dying” at
the time of their rescue. Myers added that ATTT will never forget our
foundation’s grant for two reasons …

“One, Life's Abundance food got Ava and Maryann healthy and on
their feet. And, two, Life's Abundance grant money enabled us to provide these
two wonderful dogs with the veterinary care they so desperately needed to go on
to run and play like every dog should. We cannot thank you enough. We love your
products and now we love your hearts and your generosity.”

In light of the their indefatigable commitment to creating
happily-ever-after stories for these ten dogs, and the hundreds of dogs before
them, awarding ATTT this financial grant was our incredible holiday pleasure. On
behalf of all of the creatures who now lead lives of happiness thanks to their good
works, we offer A Tail to Tell our genuine thanks.

We urge to share this post with friends and family, especially if you have reason to think that they’ll be considering adding a four-footer to their family this holiday season. There are literally millions of dogs and cats living in limbo, waiting for the day their new pet parents will welcome them into caring, forever homes. Adopting from a local shelter - especially if having a purebred isn't at the top of your list - is definitely a meaningful way to celebrate this season of charity and hope ... you'll be giving solace and comfort to one of these angels in need. Even if only one person chooses to adopt from a shelter this December, rather than a pet shop in partnership with a pet mill, we’ll have made progress. That being said, to make a real impact, we’re hoping that a small percentage of our readers will heed this message … with tens of thousands of subscribers, we could influence a substantial number of people. It’s easy to see how by working together, we can make a big difference!

This holiday season, we want all of our customers and individual donors to know
that you made this financial award possible. Each one of you directly helped us
to help A Tail to Tell to make the world a better place for companion animals.
In fact, every time a Life’s Abundance order is placed, a portion of the profits
is contributed to our foundation, which in turn provides funding to small
American rescues just like ATTT.

During this season of giving, any additional support you could show our
foundation would be greatly appreciated. To put a little something extra in our
foundation’s stocking, make a contribution when placing an order online or by
sending a check directly to Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, Inc. at P.O.
Box 1425, Palm City, FL 34991. Even if you can only spare a dollar or two,
you’ll still be helping deserving pet-rescue organizations, which are on the
front lines of the fight to reduce and eliminate pet abandonment, neglect and
abuse in America.

With all the horrible news we are bombarded with daily, it lifts my spirit to read inspiring stories such as this. Thank you for sharing you message as the world can use a dose of good news.

Gina

December 16. 2011 14:56

You made this story perfect. I am crying

cindy

December 20. 2011 10:26

Thank you for opening my eyes as to what goes on around us. This story was heartbreaking.

Marie

December 20. 2011 16:02

Inspiring compassion for animals, especially when we have put their fate in our own human hands, can only better us all.

debbie

December 21. 2011 20:33

After having been tourists for years we decided to move to beautiful Lancaster county, Pa. Sadly, as residents, began our "education" to this land of manicured farms, grazing animals & the quaintness of horse & buggy travel. And.... the horror of the puppy mills (prvviously unknown to us). The cruelty surely defies the imagination of caring, civilized people & can barely be comprehended. Thankfully, an organization called UAPM (United Against Puppy Mills) was formed & the response was overwhelming. Knowing full well that these horrific mills would not, nor could not, be completely shut down due to Pa laws governing them, the goals were to raise the standard & increase accountability. But... as long as companion animals are under the Pa Dept. of Agriculture, not enough can be done to abolish these mills & end the insufferable cruelty they inflict. I salute you & support your efforts on behalf of these wonderful creatures who pay such ultimate prices in the name of greed. I also fear that until these mills no longer exist, there will always be unspeakable cruelty just beyond those pastoral scenes that take our breath away. I hope that the "final solution" will be a permanent end to every puppy mill in existence.

PJ

January 21. 2012 13:57

The ATTT is doing wonderful work, giving these dogs another chance at a good life. It is inconceivable to me that puppy mills can still exist, given the amount of media attention they have received. Certainly these places are kept in business by uninformed people that continue to purchase their pets from pet shops or directly from the puppy mills. I agree with PJ & hope one day they will cease to exist. -Janet Roberts